Subject: Availability of Service Release Update for EDExpress for Windows 2018-2019, Release 3.0

We are pleased to announce the posting of a service release update for EDExpress for Windows 2018-2019, Release 3.0, on the Federal Student Aid Download (FSAdownload) website, located at https://fsadownload.ed.gov.

This service release resolves several software issues occurring in Release 3.0 (originally posted on August 10, 2018) and earlier 2018-2019 versions. See below for additional information on the updates included in this service release and installation information.

Software Issues Resolved by Service Release

We redesigned the EDExpress software for 2018-2019 to implement software enhancements that improve usability, increase security, and eliminate outdated functionality. This redesign required significant revisions to the software’s code, and as a result, we are continuing to test and refine the updated version.

This service release resolves multiple software issues, listed below by module or function, that were identified internally or as a result of reports from schools and other end users in Release 3.0 or an earlier release:

Pell

Resolves an issue that rejected the import of a Pell External Disbursement (PGED19OP) file if it contained a student record with an apostrophe in the last name.

Resolves a software error message that occurred when attempting to adjust a Pell disbursement record with a Disbursement Status of C (Corrected).

Direct Loan

Resolves an issue that caused a different Loan Type to display on the Disburse tab than the loan type in the Loan ID for the same loan record.

Resolves an issue that set the Loan Fee Percentage value to 0 instead of the default value designated in Direct Loan School setup on new PLUS and Grad PLUS records created by importing a PLUS Application Acknowledgement (CRSP19OP).

Installation Guidance

You should run the service release installation file (Express19r31.exe) on all PC workstations in your office that have EDExpress 2018-2019, Release 3.0 installed.

Note the following additional tips when installing the service release to your PC workstation(s):

Be sure to close EDExpress 2018-2019 on the PC workstation before installing the service release.

You must have administrator rights to the PC workstation to run the service release installation.

You can resume use of EDExpress 2018-2019, Release 3.0 immediately following the service release installation; you do not need to reboot your PC.

If your EDExpress 2018-2019 database is installed on a network drive, and you have multiple PC workstations accessing that database, you must install the service release on EACH workstation.

Note: The service release installation screens indicate you are installing Release 3.1 of EDExpress 2018-2019. However, when you complete the installation and resume use of EDExpress 2018-2019, the software’s start-up screen and “About EDExpress for Windows” option (from the Help menu) will continue to indicate you are running Release 3.0. If you need assistance determining whether you have installed the service release, contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support (see contact information in section below).

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding downloading, installing, or using the service release for EDExpress 2018-2019, contact CPS/SAIG Technical Support at 1-800-330-5947 (TDD/TTY 1-800-511-5806) or by email at CPSSAIG@ed.gov.